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Jaime Costiglio

build - paint - sew

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Easy Closet Shelves

March 25, 2019

A functional and organized closet makes my heart sing.  My son’s closet was a blank slate with a simple hanging rod and one high shelf.  This wasn’t doing him any favors in the way of keeping things organize.  The solution is simple – easy closet shelves.

easy closet shelves

A DIY tutorial to install easy closet shelves. Make your closet functional and organized with simple shelves you can install.

Today I’m sharing these easy closet shelves along with 16 other extremely creative DIY friends in a group organization challenge.  Thank you to Jen Woodhouse for pulling us altogether to get organized!

Does your closet have the functionality you need?  Is that single hanging rod providing all the storage you need?  Could you benefit from a few shelves to make use of those corners and provide more visible, organized storage?  If you answered yes to any of those questions then I’m guessing your closet may look similar to my son’s closet before I did this project.

interior closet right side before

A single hanging rod with a shelf above.  Nothing fancy and while it does the job of providing lots of hanging storage space I can guarantee my son (and most kids) don’t hang too many clothes.  Let’s install some easy closet shelves in those corners and provide open, visible storage while still keeping the hanging rod.

It’s amazing what five little shelves can do for a hidden corner that was underutilized before!

interior closet right side after

I recently installed a similar version in our hall linen closet except they are unfinished raw plywood if that’s more your speed.

Below are the supplies and instructions to make and install these easy closet shelves.  Be sure to measure your space carefully as all closets are slightly different.

Supplies:

  • 3/4″ plywood pieces (shelves)
  • 1×2 pine boards (trim)
  • 3/4″ x 3/4″ square dowels (cleats)
  • nail gun
  • 1 1/4″ brad nails
  • level
  • wood glue
  • wood putty
  • miter saw
  • table saw
  • sander
  • measuring tape
  • pencil

closet shelf installation

Step 1: Cut 3 pieces of 3/4″ square dowel for your cleats.  One long back piece and two side pieces.  The side pieces should be equal to the depth of your shelves.  Secure the cleats to the wall using a level and nail gun.  Next cut the plywood to fit the space.  Be sure to leave 3/4″ at front for the trim piece to sit flush with the door jamb.  Finally use wood glue and attach the front trim piece with finish nails.

These shelves are approximately 10″ apart and measure 18″l x 9″d.

priming closet shelves

Step 2: Fill any nail holes with wood putty, let dry and then sand smooth.  Next apply primer to shelves and trim.  Then once dry sand again and paint shelves.

closet shelving installed

A very easy and simply weekend project that makes a huge difference in the functionality of your closet space.

interior closet left side before

Before this closet was an open cavern with just hanging storage space.  And now after I installed ten easy shelves the closet is much more user friendly.

interior closet left side after

Be sure to stop by and check these awesome organization project from my creative friends:

  • DIY Shoe Organizer by Jen Woodhouse
  • Simple DIY Closet Organization by House Becoming Home
  • DIY Corner Vegetable Storage Bin by Anika’s DIY Life
  • Small Parts Bins by 100 Things 2 Do

 

  • French Cleat Wall Organizer by Addicted 2 DIY
  • Office Organizer Drawers by Remodelando La Casa
  • Shoe Storage Cabinet with Trays by The Created Home
  • DIY Closet Cabinets by Woodshop Diaries

 

  • DIY Ziploc Bag Storage Organizer by The Inspired Workshop
  • Backpack Storage Bench by Her Toolbelt
  • Between Studs Workshop Organization by My Love 2 Create
  • Between Studs Broom Closet by Myrepurposed Life

 

  • DIY Jewelry Organizer by Ugly Duckling House
  • DIY Bathroom Drawer Organizer by Hazel and Gold Designs
  • Easy DIY Wine Rack by Place of my Taste
  • DIY Spice Rack by Joyful Derivatives

easy diy closet shelves

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Filed Under: BUILD, DIY, ORGANIZATION, STORAGE22 Comments

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Katie says

    March 25, 2019 at 10:18 AM

    Those little spaces at the ends of closets drive me crazy! They become like the black hole. I love how pretty your shelves turned out and now it’s functional space!

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      March 26, 2019 at 8:11 AM

      Thanks Katie, I’m saying no to all the black holes and on a mission to make everything functional!

      Reply
  2. gail says

    March 25, 2019 at 11:08 AM

    Jaime,

    What a great use of space! I love your easy closet shelves. So much better than the plastic bins.

    pinning!
    gail

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      March 26, 2019 at 8:11 AM

      Thank you Gail, a little wood and paint fixes almost everything 🙂

      Reply
  3. Cara says

    March 25, 2019 at 11:35 AM

    Such a great idea! I have some funky shaped closets…with so much wasted space, but I think shelves will work! Now, if only I had an extra copy of myself to get right on that! Lol!

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      March 26, 2019 at 8:10 AM

      Yes Cara let’s fix all the closets and get rid of wasted space! Some many projects, so little time.

      Reply
  4. Cristina says

    March 25, 2019 at 12:55 PM

    Love it!! So simple and so much more convenient and useful. And I can’t stop staring at those pretty floor planks.

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      March 26, 2019 at 8:09 AM

      Thank you Cristina, very convenient and user friendly. It makes me smile every time I open the closet door 🙂 And yes I love the floors too.

      Reply
  5. JenWoodhouse.com says

    March 25, 2019 at 5:19 PM

    You are on a roll with these built-in solutions, Jaime! Love it! Thanks for joining in on the fun!

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      March 26, 2019 at 8:08 AM

      Thanks Jen, making all the closets functional makes me happy! Thanks for hosting this fun group challenge.

      Reply
  6. sheri says

    March 25, 2019 at 6:24 PM

    I did something similar to my entryway closet and it changed my life. You’re genius to use the space so well! Love this. Nice work!

    Reply
  7. Angie says

    March 26, 2019 at 11:55 AM

    Yes! Why does every closet have that completely impractical nook!?! What a great way to avoid the black hole!

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      March 26, 2019 at 5:01 PM

      Good question. Say no to nooks and yes to shelves!

      Reply
  8. Sarah - Ugly Duckling House says

    March 26, 2019 at 12:16 PM

    My closets have those nooks too, but they are DEEP. Been debating adding shelves just like this. Great project!

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      March 26, 2019 at 5:01 PM

      Thanks Sarah, yes I say add all the shelves!

      Reply
  9. Kelly says

    March 26, 2019 at 10:21 PM

    Great idea!!! Totally coveting your nail gun…which Ryobi model is it? I’m steadily collecting my power tools and getting creative! Love your projects

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      March 27, 2019 at 6:00 AM

      Thanks Kelly. For this project I used the 18 gauge Ryobi pneumatic nail gun. It’s the most versatile and the best choice for basic use.

      Reply
  10. Anika Gandhi says

    March 27, 2019 at 12:20 PM

    What a simple and amazing idea to use up those awkward corners in closets! I have a few closets that could use this for sure!

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      March 28, 2019 at 10:23 AM

      Thanks Anika, so many closets to remedy! So little time but it’s worth it to make those corners useful.

      Reply
  11. Rachel says

    March 27, 2019 at 1:18 PM

    Such a quick project with major organizational impact! I bet your son is pleased with his additional storage!

    Reply
  12. Julie says

    August 10, 2020 at 1:44 PM

    I live in an old house with closets like this!! Plus its so old, they have the brown paneling too!! I’m in the process of painting them all white and having shelves like this built. I can’t wait to see the finished product. I hate wasted space and love using every inch of it to get organized. Thanks for your instructions. !!

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      August 11, 2020 at 8:16 PM

      Great news, so glad you’re taking advantage of the hidden space. Cheers to getting organized!

      Reply

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